Sporting Select Three in SuperDraft

Major League Soccer held the 2024 SuperDraft today with Sporting Kansas City having three selections in the draft. Sporting had the 22nd, 51st, and 80th picks in the draft. One in each of the draft’s three rounds. For the first time in the draft’s history, underclassmen who were not signed to Generation Adidas contracts could be drafted. Also, for the first time since the 2015 draft, zero teams took a pass on a pick in the draft.

Sporting selected Georgetown goalkeeper, Ryan Schewe in the first round with the 22nd overall pick. Schewe, from Atlanta United’s academy, stands at 6’4″. He made 29 appearances over the last two years as Georgetown’s starting goalkeeper. He recorded 12 shutouts, a 20-4-4 record, and a .79 GAA. He was the Big East’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023 and a First Team All Big East.

In the post draft media call, Vice President of Player Personnel, Brian Bliss referenced the fact that KC needs a third goalkeeper on the roster and that the team feels Schewe can fill that role. He earned high praise as well, being compared to MLS Cup winning goalkeeper, Patrick Schulte and Supporters’ Shield winning goalkeeper, Roman Celentano. It could lead to an interesting goalkeeper battle next year between Schewe and John Pulskamp with Melia in the last year of his current deal.

In the second round, Sporting selected forward Dyson Clapier out of Akron. Clapier had been a member of the Portland Timbers academy before going to Akron. He’d even played for Timbers 2 in the USL Championship on an academy contract in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He appeared 12 times and scored two goals during his time with the Timbers. At Akron, Clapier scored 14 goals and added 12 assists in 57 games for the Zips. According to Bliss he was considered for a Generation Adidas contract after his sophomore year but was hampered by injuries in his final season in Ohio.

Finally, with their third round pick, Sporting selected left back, Jonathan Robinson out of Western Michigan. Robinson finished a stellar senior season setting the school record for assists and finishing second in the NCAA with 13 on the season. He was the Broncos captain his senior season, helping lead them to the Missouri Valley regular season and conference championships this year. On Robinson, Bliss spoke about the fact that he has a chance to come in and fight for a first team spot at left back with Logan Ndenbe out for most if not all of 2024.

None of the three signed contracts with the league ahead of the draft so all three will head into preseason looking to win a spot on the team in 2024